Student Profiles

Budding Archaeologist Sees a Future of Digs

This past summer Jessica Aither ’11 (anthropology) participated in the Archaeology Field School in Italy, thanks in part to the Ansin Study Abroad Fellowship. “I was able to spend a full six weeks in the country, both on the dig site of an Etruscan necropolis and traveling Italy,” Aither says. “The entire experience was completely unparalleled by any other I’ve had thus far.”

At the field school, Aither dug in trenches everyday, acclimating herself to the process of excavation. “We kept trench notebooks, allowing us to reflect on possible explanations of finds and to record our day-to-day work,” she says. “The students, faculty and professors were tremendous with their knowledge, continued support and overall camaraderie. And the weekends were free to travel.”

Aither visited Florence, Rome, Pompeii, Venice, Lucca and Sienna. “I loved each of them for various reasons,” she notes. “Choosing a singular highlight would be impossible. How can one choose among riding a bike around the city walls of Lucca, floating down the canals of Venice in a gondola, or standing inside the Colosseum in Rome? I am so grateful to the Ansin family, particularly Robert and Ronald who presented the travel award to me last spring at the SBS Scholarship Reception.”

Having transferred from Stonehill College to UMass Amherst for the spring 2009 semester, Aither is serious about pursuing anthropology, or more specifically archaeology, as a career. In fact, that’s why she transferred. “Stonehill exposed me to anthropology as an academic field, but didn’t offered it as a major,” Aither says, noting that the discipline incorporates art, history, social relations, biology, psychology and culture—“all aspects of life that I love. UMass Amherst presented many research and field school opportunities, as well as an anthropology core curriculum that incorporates all of the subfields. When I visited, I immediately made connections with staff and professors.”

Aither’s experience so far has not disappointed. “The classes have been insightful and engaging, no matter the size. They have been varied with subject matter anywhere from the ethical issues of doing participant observation to the statistical likelihood of a man being influenced by his father’s parenting style. The professors make the field both practical and thought provoking. They are interested in student ideas that often ignite classroom discussions. And all of them have been available outside of class for questions or to discuss general concepts.”

As part of a research team in the Anthropology Department, Aither has been investigating different aspects of psychological anthropology. “I have learned a lot about research design and the actual implementation of experiments done on human subjects. Other opportunities at UMass abound as well. I’m looking into internships and attending lots of sporting events—I love supporting the Minutemen! There are so many clubs, organizations and events; the campus is always lively, and I’m trying to take part in as many things as possible. I couldn’t be happier with my choice to attend UMass. ”

As for the future, Aither sees herself getting an advanced degree in archaeology. "I see many more field schools in my future, both those I dig on and those I will run,” she says. “I know the romanticism of Indiana Jones is a façade, but I can’t imagine a better career that allows me to travel the world, discover new things, and continue to learn my entire life.”

October 22, 2009